Tech company Google has officially launched the application process for the 2025 edition of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program.
This three-month accelerator is meant for early-stage startups that are leveraging artificial intelligence to solve key issues affecting the African continent.
Now in its 7th year, the program targets startups at the Seed to Series A stage, based in Africa and focused on AI-first solutions.
Eligibility for Startups
To be eligible, startups must:
- Be led by at least one founder of African origin
- Have a working product
- Clearly demonstrate a commitment to using AI responsibly
Benefits for Selected Startups
Google announced several benefits for those chosen for the program, including:
- Personalized technical guidance from Google teams and industry professionals
- Google Cloud credits worth up to $350,000
- Opportunities to connect with a global ecosystem of investors and partners
- Sessions and workshops on tech development, AI use, product strategy, and leadership
Why AI and Why Africa?
Google emphasized AI’s critical role in speeding up growth and innovation in Africa. It stated that it aims to help local startups become leaders in AI adoption.
McKinsey predicts that AI could contribute up to $1.3 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030—only if grassroots innovation is fully supported.
“African startups are solving real problems. When given access to the right tools and support, they can grow their impact significantly,” said Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem, Africa at Google.
“This program supports our vision that AI becomes truly powerful when developed by those who live and understand the local context,” he added.
Impact So Far
Since its launch in 2018, the accelerator has helped 140 startups from 17 African countries. These companies have gone on to secure over $300 million in funding and created more than 3,000 jobs.
Google highlighted Crop2Cash—an agritech startup from a previous cohort—as a success story. The company uses AI to onboard smallholder farmers digitally, create financial profiles for them, and connect them to credit facilities, traceable payments, and farming tools.
“Crop2Cash is helping improve farming results and creating financial inclusion for farmers who were left out of traditional systems. This is the kind of change possible when local innovators receive strong backing,” Google stated.
How to Apply
Startups that meet the criteria and want to be part of the 2025 group can apply at:
👉 https://startup.google.com/programs/accelerator/africa
Important Note
In the 2024 edition, startups from Nigeria made up half of the selected participants.
That cohort included 10 startups from countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa—all using AI to tackle big issues in sectors such as health, climate, fintech, and more.